African LGBTQ+ Artists Exhibition at the Smithsonian

A groundbreaking exhibition celebrating the creativity, identity, and resilience of African LGBTQ+ artists is drawing international attention at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art. Titled Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art, the exhibition is the museum's first major showcase dedicated to queer African artistic expression and is currently on view through August 23, 2026.

The exhibition features nearly 60 works spanning photography, painting, sculpture, textiles, and video by approximately 30 artists from Africa and its diaspora. Among the participating artists are South African visual activist Zanele Muholi, Nigerian-British photographer Rotimi Fani-Kayode, Ugandan sculptor Leilah Babirye, Kenyan artist Kawira Mwirichia, and filmmaker Jim Chuchu.

Through diverse artistic approaches, the exhibition explores themes of identity, belonging, migration, memory, spirituality, love, and resistance. The works challenge stereotypes about African societies while amplifying voices that have often been overlooked in mainstream art institutions.

Museum officials describe the exhibition as an opportunity to engage with the richness and diversity of contemporary African experiences. Beyond its artistic significance, the exhibition contributes to broader conversations about representation, inclusion, and cultural heritage in museums around the world.

As visitors continue to flock to the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art, Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art stands as one of the most significant African art exhibitions of 2026, offering audiences a powerful reflection on identity, community, and the evolving landscape of contemporary African art.